Noma Reservations

When our diner was shown to his table, it felt like he'd already had a great evening, and he hadn't eaten a single thing yet. They were lucky to get a table -- Noma is completely booked over three months in advance. It's a very small restaurant, and once your table is booked, it doesn't matter which celebrity shows up looking for a last-minute seating; they will not bump you. Oprah and Michelle Obama came by one night hoping to score a table without a reservation, and they were turned away. Ditto Madonna.

Our diner was seated in the private dining room, which is easier to book because it requires a minimum spend of $5,000. The prix fixe dinner costs $300 (not including wine), so this party was big enough to warrant booking it.